7 Must See Acts At Chicago's North Coast Music Festival

August 27, 2015 - 11:51 am
by
Shannon Powell

Don't miss Chi-Town's last summer festival of 2015.

As summer comes to a close, so too does festival season -- ridiculously hipster outfits and the stench of weed almost as loud as your favorite artist echoing from the stage are slowly drifting into faint memories.

But before you get too nostalgic about the nights that you can’t remember with the people that you won’t forget, there’s one last festival that will be the perfect close to a great summer.

North Coast Music Festival hits Chicago’s Union Park September 4-6, and with an array of musical newcomers and vets in this year’s lineup, there are several acts you don’t want to miss.

Click through to discover 7 must-see acts at this year’s NCMF.

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Lili K

Keep your eye out for Lili K.

The Chicago songstress has built a buzz from her uniquely jazzy vocals and vintage style. And you might recognize her as a recurring voice throughout Chance the Rapper’s 10-Day and Acid Rap, as well as Vic Mensa’s Innanetape.

But the 24-year old soul vocalist is bigger than backgrounds, and has most recently taken center stage to prove her chops on her debut album, Ruby, released in April of this year.

Check her out in Union Park on September 5.

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D'Angelo

What’s already known shouldn’t have to be explained, but for your sake, here’s why you need to check D’Angelo and the Vanguard out at North Coast Fest on September 5.

The six-time nominated and one-time Grammy winner blessed the Internet waves and our ears when he gave the world a surprise release of Black Messiah after a way-too-long hiatus.

His album came in true D’Angelo form -- rich with funky rhythms and laced with decadently sensual vocals. Fourteen years since his acclaimed Voodoo album, and he’s proven that he’s still the sexy quintessence of neo-soul.

You’d be a fool not to catch him live.

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Wale

Wale’s most recent work, The Album About Nothing features J. Cole., Usher, SZA and of course a favorite of the D.C. native, Jerry Seinfield, and quickly became his second #1 album.

Known for his poetic flows and go-go-influenced sound, Wale has solidified his place in hip-hop’s current lineup, and you definitely don’t want to miss the Maybach music signee as he takes over Union Park on Sept 4.

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Leather Corduroys

Within the past few years, Savemoney has proven itself to be a hip-hop powerhouse in Chicago and beyond.

With artists like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa leading the way, the collective has demonstrated that it’s a force to be reckoned with. But while the two have been at the forefront gaining international fandom, there have been others in the gang making moves of their own.

Leather Corduroys is a rap duo consisting of Kami de Chukwu and Joey Purp. Both artists have been featured on tracks from some of their Savemoney friends -- including Joey Purp’s latest verse on Surf -- but the two seem to be at their best when they work together.

Listen to their arguably underrated project, Season, which dropped earlier this year, and catch Leather Corduroys at Union Park on Friday, September 4.

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Stefan Ponce

To keep with the Chicago theme of this year’s lineup, make sure you check out Stefan Ponce at North Coast Festival.

The producer is fairly new to the scene, but in his short time in the spotlight, he has proven why he deserves to be there, with two Grammy nominations for his work on Childish Gambino’s Because the Internet.

Not to mention, he has some cool ass hair. Catch Stefan in Union Park on Sunday, September 6.

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The Roots

I was listening to “6 Man” by Drake a little while ago and chuckled a bit at his version of “You Got Me,” by The Roots ft. Erykah Badu. No shade to the Toronto rapper, but certain songs just shouldn’t be touched.

However, maybe I’m a little biased. After 14 Grammy nominations and 3 wins, The Roots have engraved themselves as a legendary hip hop bunch.

Most recently, the Philly natives have been acting as the house band on The Tonight Show, and the group makes yearly appearances at festivals, including its own Roots Picnic. It’s rare, though, that you’ll find them in Chicago.

Don’t miss this chance. Catch them at NCMF on September 5.

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The O'My's

Known for their eclectic sound, which is something like a musical lovechild of Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions and Bootsy Collins, the Chicago group is definitely an act you don’t want to miss at NCMF.

Having collaborated with everyone from Mick Jenkins and Noname Gypsy to Saba and Donnie Trumpet, The O’My’s are all about the city that bred its creation. Make sure you check out their Saturday performance in Union Park.